The Scandal of the Incarnation

One of my favorite songs this year was from an American Idol. Should I admit that? It was Home by Phillip Phillips. I mostly like the melody of it. There is a lyric in it that I have been thinking about: "If you get lost you'll always be found...just know you're not alone, because I'm going to make this place your home."

We do try so hard to make this place our home, especially at the Christmas season. We want to have the warm feelings of family; we want the fun that comes from being together and making cookies; we want to enjoy holiday movies together; we want the shared memories from carrying on traditions like singing carols or having a feast together. These are wonderful ways of enjoying a holiday, and dare I say, a small vision into seeing what it might be like when we get to heaven (take out the internal family strife from that, of course). In "Star Trek: Generations", Captain Picard has an opportunity to go to the "Nexus," which is a place where your best dream comes to life. His dream is being surrounded by his family at Christmas where they have this same sort of holiday experience. This is what we want...the idealism, the beauty, the love, and we are drawn towards these feelings of "home."

My pastor has been using the phrase "the scandal of the incarnation" this season. He referenced how God Himself came to earth and allowed his diapers to be changed. That is shocking. This is the God that created man, that created the land and the seas, that created the creatures in both, and fashioned woman out of Adam's rib. The One who turned Lot's wife into a pillar of salt. The One who unleashed Satan on Job. The One who parted the Red Sea for the Israelites. The One who watched over the nation of Israel and brought in people from outside to be part of the family, like Rahab. This is the same One who deigned to be born as a baby. He knew that the baby, His son, was the King and would be the redeemer. He knew the only way out for us was to pay a price none of us could even conceive of. This baby left His home, came to Earth - a place filled with stark sin, fear, and misery - and showed us what love truly was.

On this night, when I am separated from some of those I love, the scandal of the incarnation is made a little more real for me. I am here with my parents, who I love, but it's not everyone else. And I think about how Jesus was separated for thirty plus years from His father, and then how the separateness was made so complete on the cross.

We should be scandalized this Christmas, and remember that this place is not our true home.